A showcase of the best documentary short films in the world today.

AUDIENCE AWARDS:
Best Feature Film: Before Everest
Best Short FilM: Mayday
Best Micro-Short: Cold Isolation
Best Direction: Navigating the Clickety-Clack
Best Human Interest Film: JDZ Lab
Best Story: Manuel the Barber
Best Society Film: A Good Place to Be
Best Essay Film: Portrait of Kelly Gavinoser

BEFORE EVEREST, 90min., India
Directed by Kovid Mittal

We all once in our lifetime have dreamt of reaching top of the world, haven’t we?

Mount Everest the highest point on earth the most fearful mountain in the world, Kovid Mittal will have to battle this last 7000 meter mountain before he can attempt and be fully prepared for the monster Everest. A journey of young boy battling his own emotions & demons in hope one day he shall conquer Mount Everest. A motivational journey of human spirit of not giving up.

https://www.instagram.com/kovid_mittal/

Navigating the Clickety-Clack: How to Live a Peace-Filled Life in a Seemingly Toxic World, 22min,. USA
Directed by Keith Leon S.
Navigating the Clickety-Clack is a 24X award-winning
enlightening TV Series, based on the 4-volume award-winning international BESTSELLER book series with the same name. Producer / director, Keith Leon S. hosts this 7-episode series exploring topics that include, death, fear, job loss, money fear, family issues, relationship challenges, and how to stay peace-filled in a seemingly toxic world.

JDZ lab, 28min., Portugal
Directed by Miguel Gaspar
In September of 2019 we arrived in Jingdezhen (JDZ), China, for an artistic residency supported by a scholarship granted by the Fundação Oriente. Jingdezhen is a unique city in what ceramics are concerned, everything revolving around this activity.

COLD ISOLATION, 4min., Portugal
Directed by José Augusto Carvalho
We travel in the empty interior of ourselves,
meaningless passengers.

Manuel the barber, 7min,. Portugal
Directed by José Augusto Carvalho
One daughter and two grandchildren. He loves his daughter very much, but he hasn’t told her yet, maybe he’ll tell her today, after shooting this film.

A Good Place to Be, 14min., Denmark
Directed by Marcus Mandal
This film is produced for the Danish “Autism Center Storstrøm” to tell about their big effort to help people with autism.

Mayday, 7min., Portugal
Directed by Miguel Gaspar
From a report by a Portuguese volunteer who carried out maritime rescue missions on a ship of a German NGO during the current refugee crisis in the Mediterranean, “Mayday” builds a visual narrative, giving space to a reflection on the drama of this humanitarian issue

PORTRAIT OF KELLY GAVINOSER, 5min., Argentina
Directed by Ileana Andrea Gomez Gavinoser
PORTRAIT OF KELLY GAVINOSER- DOCUMENTARY SHORT OF LIFE

A showcase of the best Female Films from around the world today!

AUDIENCE AWARD WINNERS:
Best Feature Film: Petty Thief Girl
Best Short Film: Wall Unit
Best Micro-Short: Airborne Abyss
Best Direction: Together with ALS: a wife’s perspective
Best Experimental Film: (French) Stories from my window
Best Story: If I Were a Carpenter
Best Documentary: House

PETTY THIEF GIRL, 102min., Spain
Directed by Alicia Bel Benet
After losing her father, Isabel, a 17-year-old girl, must move and start from scratch at a high school where she suffers from bullying. There, she meets Lola, a troubled teenager forced by her family to sell drugs and commit crimes. Isabel and Lola must team up to get ahead. Together, they forge a close friendship and eventually discover love.

https://asismaval.wixsite.com/asismaval/chicaquinqui
https://www.instagram.com/joseluis.pedrero/

AIRBORNE ABYSS, 3min., Bangladesh
Directed by Soumya Shah
As the world suffocates, a helpless father fights desperately to keep his family breathing.

Together with ALS: a wife’s perspective, 25min., USA
Directed by Kimber Leigh, Diane Dresback Dresback
ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, affects thousands each year, but the true impact extends far beyond the diagnosis.

(French) Stories from my window, 4min., UK
Directed by Marie Chiriac
Super short poetry film about one possible end of the world and love. Contemplative perspective on what makes this world beautiful and worth saving is love, as this realm being the backdrop and anchor of a universal love story.

https://www.instagram.com/addicted.to.lines

If I Were a Carpenter, 2min., Canada
Directed by Elizabeth Lewis
This hand drawn animated film is based on the classic song If I Were a Carpenter and sung by the great Bobby Darin. How can love conquer the social divide? This film is a tender slightly tongue in cheek story of how love can transform us and ultimately bridge our differences.

Wall unit, 10min., Poland
Directed by Joanna Polak
A ramshackle wall unit is a symbol of the monotonous life of a certain 40-year-old man living in a grey, dirty post-communist block of flats district. Right after his birthday, suffering from the midlife crisis, the man decides to change his dull and routine-based existence. Alas, his wife stands in the way.

HOUSE, 6min., Afghanistan
Directed by Zainab Entezar
A female individual is actively seeking a residential property for rent within the Kabul region. However, despite her diligent efforts, she has not yet been able to secure a suitable dwelling for shelter.

Festival played at the end of July 2025. Showcasing the best of NEW movie trailers from around the world.

AUDIENCE AWARDS:

MOVIE TRAILER: THE APOLOGY (ACT 1)
Animation Trailer: BORN
Cinematography: SWIFT CURRENT SWIMMER
Direction: OUR KEYS
Documentary Trailer: LIVING 1 NEW DAY
Drama Trailer: TALK
Edited Trailer: Agents of Project Blue Book/Wrestling with Survival
Fan Fiction Trailer: The Final Mission, A Star Trek Fan Production
Horror Trailer: BLACK MAGIK
Human Interest Trailer: FIRE IN MY BELLY
Music in Trailer: TROPOS
Mystery Trailer: RED BIRD
Quest Trailer: THE WISH FOR LOVE
Romance Trailer: NONA DAY
Sci-Fi Trailer: FALLING INTO FRAME
Story: SNOW Proof-of-concept
Student Trailer: SHOE DOWN
Thriller Trailer: SALEM AFTERMATH SIZZLE

Details of each film:

Salem Aftermath Sizzle, 2min., USA
The dialogue in this film clip is derived from the latest research and historical analysis of Ann Putnam. By incorporating newly discovered documents, human behavioral science, and AI, we have reconstructed what Ann likely would have said if given the chance.

BLACK MAGIK, 2min., Italy
What happens when a group of kids find themselves sharing a passion, that of music that awakens the dark side of our consciences? What happens when you find yourself in your hands with the possibility of transforming into a demon?

Agents of Project Blue Book/Wrestling with Survival, 3min.,
A group of ragtag soldiers try to stop a Reptilian Alien Invasion that could alter history, featuring the music stylings of Bill Mumy of “Lost in Space” featuring Bill Mumy & Tom Sizemore.

FALLING INTO FRAME, 2min.,
This capstone project is a trailer to a hypothetical film:
After a magical painting sends June and Robert to a mysterious forest, they must learn that the best path is the one taken together. As they race against time to return home, will their love rekindle once again?

PURA SANGRE, 1min.
Frankie and Lucky, two young artists navigating love and identity in New York City, cross paths again after years of separation. Their reunion in a bookstore triggers a flood of memories, reopening wounds from their past relationship. As Frankie revisits the apartment they once shared, the film delves into their tumultuous past—Lucky’s struggle with trust, Frankie’s desire for autonomy, and the emotional weight of unspoken truths.

NONA DAY, 1min.
Black female vampire series.
SNOW Proof-of-Concept, 2min.
When an aspiring young American painter discovers that she’s pregnant with a child that her husband may not want, she’s forced to confront her troubled marriage, finding the strength to change her life when she falls in love with a Danish poet.



OUR KEYS, 22sec.,
As Chris and Lizzie are getting ready for their work days they realize that the keys to the house are missing leading to a bigger fight about their relationship.


FIRE IN MY BELLY, 40sec.
Richard was in his recording studio working on a new song when he suddenly fell unconscious to the floor… he was told his heart stopped for 19 seconds…


THE WISH FOR LOVE, 1min.
The story of a young man who is learning about life and is in search of his destiny.


TALK, 30sec.
“TALK” starring Detroit’s Tony J Black ( Sting; Apples Never Fall) is a drama delving into the nuances of love, communication, and the mysterious impact of silence. The narrative unfolds through the complex dynamics between characters, exploring emotional connections and the unspoken aspects of relationships. As the story meanders through intimate scenes, it gradually reveals the main character’s struggles with communication and the consequences of having unresolved conflicts in his relationships. The evolving plot touches on isolation, education, and transformation, leaving the audience to contemplate the intricate dance of human connections.


RED BIRD, 2min.
Maximilien Abadie learns of his father Alex’s death under mysterious circumstances. Officially, it was ruled a car accident—one seemingly caused by Alex himself. But Alex was more than just a father, he was a relentless police officer, known for his discipline and ruthless efficiency. Working in the shadows under the alias “Red Bird”, he was a secret vigilante who took on the city’s most complex cases.


Living 1 new day, 2min.
Nothing lasts in this cruel world, not even our suffering.


SWIFT CURRENT SWIMMER, 30sec.
Swift Current Swimmer is a sweeping, emotive piece that mirrors the epic life cycle of salmon from their birth in gentle mountain streams to their return as full-grown adults. It’s crafted for a full symphony orchestra, yet uniquely integrates beginner string players in a way that parallels the salmon’s growth.


TROPOS, 1min.,


The Final Mission, A Star Trek Fan Production, 1min.
Amid the chaos of war, the crew of the USS Pioneer faces a mystery that will push their ship, their values, and their bonds to the brink.


BORN, 17sec.
This 2D experimental animation depicts a planet with reproductive functions, exploring the transformations associated with pregnancy and childbirth. By portraying these changes on both a psychological and physical level, the animation aims to highlight the impact of reproductive trauma and advocate for greater societal awareness and compassionate care.


SHOE DOWN, 43sec.

THE APOLOGY (ACT 1), 2min.
The Apology is the first of 2 short documentaries, by Métis filmmaker Matt LeMay and Inuk filmmaker Crystal Martin of Indigenous Geographic deliver an unprecedented, emotionally charged portrait of a pivotal moment in Canada’s journey toward truth and reconciliation. As the only film crew in the world granted exclusive access to the Indigenous delegation’s visit to the Vatican, they take viewers deep inside the historic week that led to Pope Francis’s apology for the Catholic Church’s role in operating the Canadian residential school system.

FREE festival starts at 8pm EST tonight at http://www.wildsound.ca/browse

Watch the festival here:  https://www.wildsound.ca/events/under-5-minute-film-festival

L’anniversaire, 4min., France
Directed by Thibault Mombellet
En rentrant chez lui, Julien découvre que ses amis lui ont organisé un anniversaries surprise pour ses quarante ans. Il est ravi, mais sa soirée tourne rapidement au cauchemar. Un traumatisme d’enfance refait surface et Julien met à point d’honneur à souffler ses bougies magiques… Y parviendra-t-il ?

https://www.instagram.com/rteebw/

https://www.wildsound.ca/videos/audience-feedback-lanniversaire

Can you hear me?, 2min., USA
Directed by Ramiyah Brooks
After losing his mother, a young boy searches for answers in his role of her passing.

https://www.wildsound.ca/videos/audience-feedback-can-you-hear-me

The Perfect Shot, 1min., Germany
Directed by Niklas Leifert
Self-styled marketing guru Martin Muffin rushes through the final beats of his branding photo masterclass—so he can finally craft his own perfect shot. Most students stick to the recipe. Béatrice frames things her own way.

https://www.instagram.com/niklasleifert

https://www.wildsound.ca/videos/audience-feedback-the-perfect-shot

3 MINUTOS, 5min., USA
Directed by Douglas Ryan
Under the time pressure of a potentially life changing test, a young couple unexpectedly takes a quick but meaningful look at their past, present and potential future.

https://www.wildsound.ca/videos/audience-feedback-3-minutes

Junky Monkey, 3min., Japan
Directed by Hirohisa Nakano Magy
A man in Tokyo, desperate, wondering around , running through busy Tokyo scape and finally meet this guy to get something that he couldn’t resist which is…..

https://www.instagram.com/jovijova_official/

https://www.wildsound.ca/videos/audience-feedback-junky-monkey

FINAL CUT, 5min., USA
Directed by Tom Varisco
A humble cottage. A delusional actor. A final fight for control.

https://www.instagram.com/tomvariscodesigns

https://www.wildsound.ca/videos/audience-feedback-final-cut

Right Beside You, 3min., USA
Directed by Annie Windsland
The night before her cousin’s wedding—to her ex—Isabel hides away, desperate to escape. But Liam, her fiercely loyal best friend, follows her, and something shifts. Their laughter fades. A glance lingers. A touch lasts too long. Unspoken truths press between them—until reality slams back in.

https://www.instagram.com/annewindsland

https://www.wildsound.ca/videos/audience-feedback-right-beside-you

L’oeil des sables, 2min., France
Directed by Florian Lejal
In ancient Egypt, a scribe witnesses a strange apparition: visitors from another time. Shocked, he draws them on papyrus, capturing the mystery. Now on display in a museum, this drawing continues to intrigue, leaving visitors with an unsolved enigma.

https://www.instagram.com/lllflowlll/

https://www.wildsound.ca/videos/audience-feedback-loeil-des-sables

LEVELS, 2min., Canada
Directed by Phuong Vu
Trapped in an elevator with a wanted individual, a timid office worker reveals his true identity as a skilled fighter, protecting a briefcase that holds more than just paperwork.

https://www.wildsound.ca/videos/audience-feedback-levels